Centrifugal washing machine



Jam 20, 1953 K. CLARK 2,625,309

CENTRIF'UGAL WASHING MACHINE Filed March l5, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan.20, 1953 K. CLARK 2,625,809

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Jan. 20, 1953 I K. CLARK CENTRIFUGAL WASHING MACHINE Filed March 15,194e l 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 F l G. 7

Jan. 20, 1953 Filed March l5, 1946 l K. CLARK 2,625,309 CENTRIFUGALWASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /a b o o/\ o o ol o vo o al l 60 Hlll&\\\\\\\\\\ Z 73- l 3o Patented Jan. 20, ,1953

CENTRIFUGAL WASHING MACHINEy Kendall Clark, Oakwood, Ohio, assignor toGeneral Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a co1'- poration of DelawareApplication March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,585

5 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic washing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a centrifugal washing machinewith a novel and improved support and counterbalauce.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved liquid dischargeconstruction.

Another object is to provide an improved liquid retaining spring supportconstruction in the cabinet.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of a portion of the machineshown in Fig. 1;

Fig.' 3 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig.2, mainly showing water seal structure;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal elevation of Fig 3;

A Fig. 5 is a horizontal plan view of a portion of Fig. 1 mainly showinga secondary spring structure for the tub;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of Fig. 1, mainlyshowing a secondary spring structure for the power mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line 'I-'I of Fig.6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section of a portion of a. modied form of theinvention;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section of a portion of the machine shown inFig. 8; and

Figs. 10 and 11 show spring modifications, for the bottoms of springsI5.

A washing machine embodying features of my invention may include, ingeneral, a centrifugal structure having a perforated rotatable basketI0, within a non-rotatable tub Il. An agitator I2 is placed inside ofthe basket I0. A power unit I3 is connected to the agitator I2 andbasket I0 to agitate the agitator I2 while liquid and clothes are in thebasket I0 and tub I I. After the clothes have been washed, or rinsed,the agitator I2 is stopped, and the basket I0 is rotated, to cause theliquid to be discharged over the rim I4, of

the tub II, by the pumping action and air circufa lation produced by therotating basket I0.

The discharge of liquid over the rim I4 is accomplished, during rotationof basket I0 for the following reasons: When the basket I0 firstrotates, the liquid between the tub II and basket 2 I0 is rotated byfrictional contact with the outer surface of the basket I0 with somedischarge of liquid over rim I4. This liquid finally is forced into alayer in contact substantially only with the inner surface of tub II. Asthe basket I continues to rotate liquid and air are forced downwardlyand outwardly through perforations Illa, near the bottom of basket I0.rihis air and liquid create a pumping action on the liquid bey tween thetub and basket, and sweeps this liquid upwardly over the rim I4. Anyliquid discharged through the upper perforations Ito is also swept up bythe air and liquid pumping action.

The basket I0, tub II, agitator I2, and power unit I3 are connectedtogether as a unitary centrifugal structure which is supported on a mainsupporting spring structure arranged around the axis of the centrifugalstructure. This main supporting spring structure may take the form of aplurality of spring rods I5, which are supported from a liquid retainingshelf I6. The shelf I6 forms a part of the base, or cabinet Il, withinwhich the centrifugal structure is placed. The rods I5 are provided, attheir lower ends, with tension springs I8, which support-the lowerportion, or plate, I9 of the power unit i3. The plate IS is of sufucienthorizontal extent, so that the centrifugal structure is retained in avertical position, as it hangs on the rods I5.

A secondary, or subsidiary, spring structure is supported on the liquidretaining shelf It, and frictionally engages the tub II. This secondaryspring structure may take the form of a plurality of leaf springs 2Usecured to the top horizontal flange 2l of the shelf It, by means ofscrews or rivets 22, at the lower end of the springs 2i). The upper endof each of the springs 2U is provided with a pad 23 which frictionallyengages the bottom 24 of the tub II. These pads z3 are always in contactwith the bottom of tub II.

The lower portion of the base, or cabinet, II is provided with a lowertransverse support 25 upon which another secondary, or subsidiary,frictional spring support is mounted. This secondary spring support maytake the form of leaf springs 26. Each spring 26 has one end secured tothe lower transverse support 25 by means of rivets 21, while the otherend 21a of each spring 26 frictionally rides on the support 25. rIheleaf springs 26 are bowed upwardly and intersect at their center, Wherethey are providedwith a pad 28, secured to the springs 26 by means of arivet 29. The pad 28 frictionally engages the bottom plate I9 of thepower unit I3. The pad 28 ,is constantly in contact with plate I9.

casing 30 which is secured to the lower cylindrical neck 3l integralwith, and depending from, the

bottom 2 of the tub I I. The rotatable;sleeve.3,2,r

which corresponds to sleeve.24 ofmy. patent, is,

secured to the hub 33 of the basket I0. The sleeve 32 is fixed to, andis rotated by, transmission cage 32d, which corresponds to transmissioncage 23 of my patent. Rotation of the sleeve 32 produces rotation of thebasket I0. The vertically reciprocable shaft 34, which corresponds tovertically reciprocable shaft 14 of my patentkissecured to the agitatorI2. Vertical reciprocation of the shaft 34 produces averticalreciprocation, or agitation, ofthe agitator I2 and produces atoroidal` circulation of the clothes and liquid. A bellows 35 is securedto the hub 33 and to the top of the shaftl 34, in a manner (not shown)similarto the manner of securement of the bellows 14a of my patent.

As the basket IIJ is` perforatedat Illa and Ib, a seal l0 is providedbetween the tub II and the rotating shaft, to prevent liquid fromflowing into the casing 3D of the power unit. The seal lll)f includes arubber-like ring 4I, havinggan upper flange 4I a seated on the surface33g of the hub 33. The lower flange Ib is seatedk1 onl the disc 42,Which is rotatable with the hub 3,3 through the medium of keys 42aextendingr into slots 33h formed in the inner part of hub 33. The ring4I is expanded longitudinally by the spring and hanged ring construction43, The ring 4I pre-Y vents the ow of liquid` from the tub II past theflanges la and Mb into drivingpartsk of l thel mechanism I3.

The seal structure also includes a alged rubber-like ring' 64 seated onthe bottom 24L of the tub I I. A porous metaLflanged, seal ringv45 rideson the ring 44 Yand hasursealingand sliding contact with the lower sideofv the. disc42. This structure also prevents the flow of. liquidrfromthe tub II into the power unit.

An oil seal structure isplaced between then-bearging sleeve 46 and theneckSI. This sealstructure includes a Vgrooved, rubber-like ring 4lsupported on a flanged ring 48.

or washing liquid, which mightnd itsway into the seal structure orwithin the bellows .35may flow down the passagesk49, 49a, andw'illgbearrested by the ring 41. This'liquidwll drainthrough the passages lhinto the lower part of. the cabinet Il.

The shelf I6 is supported on the rubber-like ring I6a,swhich is securedbetween the cabinet I 1 and the flanged ring Ila, which is welded tothecabinet I l. This forms a liquid-tight j oin't between the shelf I6 andcabinet I1, whih,Y at the same time, prevents the transmission of noiseto the cabinet.

A water-tight seal is provided between the tub II and the upper end ofthe shelf I6. This may take the form of a rubber-like collar 56which hasits lower end secured by wire I to the upper end of shelf I 6. The upperend of collar 5i)Y is secured by ring 52 and bolts 53 to thevbottom24fof ltub s The bearing4 sleeve llinis. non-rotatively secured to theneck 3l. Any oil,i

I I. This is a water-tight construction which prevents the ow of waterdischarged over the rim I4 from flowing into the lower part of thecabinet. The water is all arrested by the shelf I6, and is dischargedthrough hose 56 (corresponding to hose 92 of my patent) into a pump (notshown; but corresponding to pump 93 of my patent) from whence it isdischarged by pipe 55 through a exible hose, not shown, toa suitabledrain or stationary laundry tub, not shown. This construction permitsthe tub I I, basket I0, and power unit I3 to swing relatively to thecabinet I'I; but insures the proper discharge of Washing liquid totheislatOl'lily drain Inthe operation ,of the foregoing embodiment,detergent, liquid and clothes are placed within the basket I0 and tubII. The power unit I3 is energized, under the control of a timer, suchas disclosed in my Patent 2,376,901, granted May 29, 1945, toreciprocate the agitator I2 vertically tow-ash the clothes. After asuitable length of time, the agitation is stopped, and the powerunit I3is energized to rotate the basket IIJ. The pumping action and aircirculation, produced between the basket Il] and tub Il, causes theliquid to be forced over the rim Ill` from whence it falls to theliquid-retaining shelf I5. Fromthisshelf it hows through the hose 5l?.to the` pump, not shown, at the bottom of the unit I3, from whence it isdischarged through the pipe and hose 55 to a laundry tub, drain, orother liquid disposal means. This operation may. be repeated for one.` or more rinses, withoutthe detergent.

As the basket Il) is rot'atedfrom a stationary. condition,throughitscritical speed, to atop, subl stantially constant speed, thecentrifugal structureswingson the. spring rods- I5.; Any swinging actionwhich would otherwisetendto .besynchronized with the rotation, is dampedout .by the frictional supports producedby thesecondaryspring supportsZand 25.. Therefore themachine tends to accelerate smoothly to its ytopspeedwvithout. any violent vibrations, and when it reaches its topspeed, it tends to rotate smoothly about an aXis which is substantiallycoincident with. the axis` of the shaftsv 32 and. 34. No, substantialvibrations are transmitted to the cabinet I'I.

In the modication shown in Figs. 8,. and 9,.the structureissubstantially as. shownin thefore-4 going Figures 1- to. '7, withA theexception of the.. details shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The centrifugal structure includes a rotatable tub having anouterimperforatecup flandlan inner perforate cup 6I'. Anfagitator. 62is-placed, withinA the cup S I.. The power unit isprovided with anon-rotatable upper collar, Sli throughH which the rotatable sleeve 65rand the vertically reciprocable shaft 66 extend, The, sleeve 65 andrshaft 66. correspond to sleeve 2,4 andshaftl .of myV Patent 2,366,236.;secured to the hub 6.? of thecups E Land 6B. The top of shaftissecuredtothe agitator 62. Ther power unit 613', and it connection tothe cups 60,. 6I land agitator 62may be substantially identical with theconnection shown in my Patent.V 2,366,236, previously referred to. Thecup 60 is, extendedy inwardly into the, agitator 6,2 and vis connectedtothe lower endOf-a bellows 68, which. bellows, in turn, isy secured atits upper end to.;` shaft-66.- These .connections of the-bellows 6.8;Aare water-tight.

The bottom, of the cup 6Qis supported 0n; and securedto, thering. i391,which ring issupportedg, on` the hub 61.. Thehub 611ssecuredtotheffrgf.tatable'sleeve 65 by meansv ofnut '10,;threaded.;v

The rotatable sleeve. 6.51 .is

on sleeve 65. An oil seal structure a is provided atthe upper end of nut1D. A slot and key construction 1I prevents relative rotation betweensleeve 65 and hub 61. The lower end of hub 61 rides on thrust bearingring 12 held in nut 13 which closes the top vof collar 64. A sealstructure 14 is placed in the upper part of nut 13`t0 prevent the flowof liquid into the power casing 63. The nut 13 is threaded to thebearing sleeve 15, which carries bearing sleeve 16. When the sleeve 65rotates, the cups 60 and 6I are rotated. When the shaft 66 isreciprocated vertically, the agitator 52 is reciprocated vertically.

AA non-rotatable counterbalancing weight 80 is welded to` thenon-rotatable collar 6d, in a water-tight manner. The liquid retainingshelf 8| corresponds in structure to the shelf I6 heretofore described,and is connected to a cabinet identical' with cabinet II. The springrods 82 are supported on the horizontal' flange 83 identically'as shownwith regard to rods I5 and ange 2I heretofore described. The remainderof the structure, not shown below Fig. 8, is substantially identicalwith that disclosed with regard to Figs. 1 through '7, and include asecondary spring support at the bottom of power unit 63, not shown. Thesecondary, or subsidiary, spring support mounted on ange 83 frictionallyengages the bottom 84 of the weight 86. This secondary spring supportincludes a plurality of leaf springs 85 mounted on the flange 83 in amanner similar to the way springs 2B are mounted on the flange 2l. Thesprings 85 are provided with pads 86, similar in action to pads 23 andfrictionally engage the bottom 84 of the weight 80.

A water-tight seal 81 of rubber-like material, has its lower end securedto shelf 8I by wire 88. The upper end of seal B1 is secured to theweight 80 by wire 89. This provides a water-tight construction betweenthe shelf 8| and the moving parts of the machine.

Wherever reference is made to rubber-like material, it is understoodthat this term includes well known synthetic substances which have theappearance and resiliency of rubber and which are generally moreresistant than rubber to oil and many liquids.

In the operation of the modication shown in Figs. 8 and 9, detergent,liquid and clothes are placed within the perforate cup 6I, and theliquid is retained within the imperforate cup 60. The agitator 62 isagitated, by vertical reciprocations, until the clothes are washed. Theagitator then is stopped, and the tub structure is rotated, causin'g theliquid to be discharged over the rim 9D from whence it falls to theliquid retaining shelf SI, corresponding to I6. The operation may berepeated one or more times without detergent for rinsing purposes. Theseoperations may be controlled by a timer such as disclosed in my Patent2,316,901.

The tub structure 60, 6I is rotated from a stationary condition, througha critical speed, to a top, substantially constant speed. As the tubstructure passes through its critical speed, the vibrations, which wouldotherwise be violent, are damped out by the frictional action takingplace between the pads 86 and the weight 80, as well as between thefrictional spring structure at the bottom of power unit 63, whichcorresponds to members I9, 26, 28, etc., shown in Figs. 1 to 1, andwhich structure is not shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The tub structure thusaccelerates smoothly without violent vibrations, up to its top speed.

While the form of embodiment of the invention aspreviously described maybe used, many modifications may be made. For example, compressionsprings Ia or rubber washers I8b may be used, as shown in Figs. 10 and11, in lieu of tension springs I8. If desired tension rubber supportsmay be used in lieu of springs I8.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A washing machine comprising: a liquid retaining, non-rotatable,upwardly directed and outwardly flared tub having a central opening atthe bottom; a rotatable shaft passing upwardly through said opening; arotatable perforated basket within and closely spaced from said tub andcarried by said shaft; a sealing, non-rotative ring yieldingly held andsealed to said tub around said opening; a rotatable ring loosely lockedto said shaft for rotation therewith and having sealing engagement withsaid non-rotative ring; and a yielding ring having sealing engagementwith said rotatable ring and said basket, whereby flow of liquid fromsaid tub through said opening is restrained.

2. A w-ashing machine comprising: a liquid retaining, non-rotatable,upwardly directed and outwardly flared tub having a central tub openingat the bottom; a rotatable sleeve passing upwardly through said opening;a rotatable perforated basket within and closely spaced from said tuband having a central upwardly directed hub secured to said sleeve andhaving an opening therethrough; a vertically reciprocable shaft withinsaid rotatable sleeve passing through said last named opening; aresilient bellows sealingly connected to said shaft and hub andpreventing flow of liquid from said basket to said last named openingalong said shaft; and liquid seal means around said sleeve between saidtub and hub having relatively moving parts and restraining flow ofliquid from said tub through said first named opening.

3. A washing machine comprising: a liquid retaining, non-rotatable,upwardly directed and outwardly flared tub having la central downwardlydirected bearing casing forming an opening at the bottom; a bearing insaid casing; a power casing secured to said bearing casing and havingpower means therein; a rotatable shaft powered by said power means andextending upwardly from said power casing through said bearing; arotatable perforated basket within said tub and carried by said shaft;liquid seal means between said tub, shaft and basket having relativelymoving parts at the upper end of said bearing casing restraining flow ofliquid from said tub into said bearing c-asing; a second liquid sealmeans between said bearing casing and bearing spaced from and below saidfirst liquid seal means; said bearing casing having a drain opening tothe space outside said bearing casing and power casing leading from thespace between said two liquid seal means.

4. A washing machine comprising: a centrifugal structure, including arotatable basket unit and a power unit drivingly connected together andsuperimposed one over the other about a vertical axis; a base; a mainsupporting spring structure arranged around one of said units, supportedon said base and having means to support said centrifugal structure; asecondary spring structure supported :on :said ibase; a Ifri'ctional.means lcarried by said .secondary spring .structure .fand having meansto .engage frictionally the lower end Iof said centrifugal structure; a.thi-rd spring structure supported on `said base.; and frictional meanscarried by said third spring structure and having means to engagefrictionally the upper portion of said centrifugal structure.

5. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet having a vertical Wallstructure; a liquid .retaining shelf sealed to said wall vstructure andhaving a central opening; a rotatable basket unit .in said cabinet abovesaid shelf; a power unit in said cabinet 4below said shelf; power'transmitting means passing through said opening :and drivingly andrigidly connecting said units together; a main supporting springstructure suspended from said shelf, arranged .around said power unit,and having means to support said power unit; a secondary springstructure Ysupported in the lower part of said cabinet; a 'frictionalmeans carried by said secondary spring structure and having means toengage frictionally the lower end of VSaid power unit; a third springstructure supported on said shelf; and frictional means carried .by saidthird spring structure and having means to engage frictionally saidbasket unit.

KENDALL CLARK;

REFERENCES CITED `UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number Number Name 'Date JebsenAug. 2, 1904 Ross Apr. 1:7, 1923 'Green Aug. 12, 1930 Kirby Mar. 13.,1934 Kirby July 3, '1934 Hitchcock Aug. 28, 1934 Kirby July 23, 1935Krauss Jan. 25, 1938 Dransfeld Feb. 1, 1938 Johnson Jan. v17, 1939Cureton Sept. 5, 1939 Dunham Dec. 30, 1941 Dunham Mar. 10, 1942 DunhamOct. 6, 1942 Kuhn Dec. 1, 1942 .Beattie Nov. 23, 1943 Dyer Apr. 11, 1944Clark Oct. 24, 1944 Clark Jan. 2, 1945 Ferris Aug. 14, 1945 Candor Junel, 1948 Russell Oct. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great BritainNov. 16, 1937

